Daily Devotional, Year 2 – AUGUST 12 (Apocalypse Now! Part 4: Silencing Christians)
By admin On January 31st, 2021.
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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – AUGUST 12
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Apocalypse Now!
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Part 4:
Silencing Christians
To read Part 1, click here… AUGUST 3 (Apocalypse Now! Part 1: Silencing the Gospel!)
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“And the dragon was wroth with the woman,
and went to make war with the remnant of her seed,
which keep the commandments of God,
and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Revelation 12:17
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“Here is the patience of the saints:
here are they that keep the commandments of God,
and the faith of Jesus.”
Revelation 14:12
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These two above verses are both from two different chapters of the Book of Revelation, given to the Apostle, John.
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And they both speak of commandment-keeping persons.
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And yet the first group have, “the testimony of Jesus”, while the second group, “keep the faith of Jesus”.
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Isn’t this an interesting difference? The first group seems to be able to proclaim the Gospel, but last group must live by faith with no mention of giving the testimony of Jesus.
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John on Patmos – Wikigallery – public domain
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WHY THE DIFFERENCE?
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But why is this difference even mentioned concerning these two groups of commandment-keeping people?
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Well, perhaps we need to examine what happens to Believers during God’s chastening process, and see if this gives us a clue as to why one group has, “the testimony of Jesus” while the other group keeps, “the faith of Jesus”.
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Question Marks – At a loss – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License
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SILENCED BY THE WORLD
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In the first part of this little series, “Apocalypse Now” (click here to read), the focus was on the “silencing of the true Gospel”, brought about by persecution from the world (and from the worldly Church).
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Yes, it seems as though we have reached the long-awaited day in which Christians will be prevented from freely proclaiming the true Gospel. Oh yes, it is just beginning. But things are changing with “leopard-like speed” (click here to see Habakkuk 1:8)!
Gay Parade – cropped and altered image – Wikimedia – GNU Free Documentation License
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SILENCED BY OUR SELF-DISTRUST
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But today’s devotional is concerned with another reason for the silencing of Christians.
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Listen to the wise man… “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in Heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.” Ecclesiastes 5:1-3
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This above passage warns against being full of words. And this wise counsel has been very instructive for Christians in every age. But it will have its dramatic fulfillment in these last days, as God’s tried-and-true worshippers enter into the last great “Time of Trouble”.
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Talking face – Wikimedia – GNU License
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PHARISEEISM WITHIN
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The fact is, that we just do not realize the foolishness still bound up in our hearts. And when Christians begin to drift away from our watchfulness and from our self-distrust, Satan will immediately pull us onto his enchanted ground pasture.
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And when we fall into a deep spiritual drunkenness, we are liable to become proud and judgmental of other individuals. At this point, we may begin to point our “bony fingers” at another individual, as if to say, “Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in My nose (says God), a fire that burneth all the day.” Isaiah 65:5
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These above words are the words of every proud Pharisee…“Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou…”
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Anger during a protest – by David Shankbone – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike-License
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VIGILANCE & WATCHFULNESS
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So, what can we do about such a dreadful situation?
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Well, one very important stance we must take, is that of being a watchful, prayerful Christian…
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Listen to Peter’s counsel…“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1st Peter 5:8
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Now here we see that Peter had learned his lesson well. Yes, who should know better than Peter about keeping silent? But Peter’s mouth got him into great trouble, causing him to even deny his Lord!
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Peter’s 2nd Denial of Jesus – US Public Domain – www.joyfulheart.com
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BOASTFULNESS & SELF-CONFIDENCE
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Yes, Peter learned a hard and bitter lesson about his boastfulness and self-confidence.
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And thus will it be in these last days for God’s people…
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Listen…“The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:” Isaiah 2:11, 12
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This above passage from Isaiah really makes plain, just what God’s judgment will upon all those who are proud in heart!
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Tissot – The Sorrow of Peter – Joyful Heart.com
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CHASTISEMENT IS GOOD!
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And since “judgment must first begin at the house of God” it will be those of us who consider ourselves to be wise and mature Christians, who will first be brought low in that Day. (1st Peter 4:17)
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But in a certain sense, this is very Good News! Yes, though it is a frightening experience, the best thing that can happen to a Christian is for God to send us through the kind of chastening which will humble our proud hearts!
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Listen again to the wise man…“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” Proverbs 17:27, 28
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If ever there was a Bible passage to engrave upon the tables of our heart, this one should be at the top of our list! Even a fool is counted wise when he keeps silent!
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Weeping Woman – Van Gogh – Wikimedia – US Public Domain
Vincent van Gogh – Old Man in Sorrow (On the Threshold of Eternity) – Wikipedia – US Public Domain
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THE TONGUE MUST BE TAMED
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Yes, here will be the mind-set of all those Christians who must go through the Devouring Fires of Judgment Day (which fires are even now being ignited!)
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Listen…“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of Hell…Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” James 3:5, 6, 1:9
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Yes, the fires of Hell on Judgment Day might well be ignited by our unsanctified tongues!
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Brown tree snake – Boiga – Wikipedia – Public Domain
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GOOD NEWS!
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The Good News is that God is calling His people to…“Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” Isaiah 26:20, 21
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Yes, there is a hiding place, a shelter from the storm in which God’s faithful ones must now hide.
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Listen… “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.” Zephaniah 2:3
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Yes, those who are willing to pursue meekness and righteousness with all their heart just might be hidden from the terrible calamities which are even now beginning to storm upon the whole world!
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ABOVE PICTURE: Hide Thyself in thy Chambers – inspired by Tornado Over Kansas by Curry
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I said, I will take heed to my ways,
that I sin not with my tongue:
I will keep my mouth with a bridle,
while the wicked is before me.
I was dumb with silence,
I held my peace, even from good;
and my sorrow was stirred.”
Psalm of David, Psalm 39:1, 2
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TO READ PART 5, CLICK HERE…
AUGUST 18 (Apocalypse Now! Part 5: Being Well Hidden)
hen with babies – cropped image – wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license
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TODAY’S PRAYER…
“Dear Lord, Help me to endure the fiery trials which God brings upon me, to drive out and crucify my unsanctified tongue. Let my words be few and salted with grace…
Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… The Crown of Revelation 12: What Is “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”?, or you can also read this shorter article…January 22nd (“He That Keepeth His Mouth…”).
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
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THE END
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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN
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7 STARS IMITATE THE CROSS OF ORION
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This phenomenon begins in late October, in the pre-dawn hours. It then begins a little earlier each night, and lasts for several months, until they both appear to lie down once again.
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This Wikipedia star-chart to the left, has this Orion Constellation sketched in. You must locate Orion, when it is mid-sky, between east and west. You’ll be facing southward most likely, unless you are far south. Try to imagine it as a Cross on a steep hill. The 3-star belt of Orion becomes the crest of the hill. The 3 very faint stars that make up Orion’s head become the very top of the Cross.
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Next, locate the 7 Stars Constellation. This 7 Stars Constellation is seen by facing northward. It stands upright a little later in the night. Eventually, Orion will lay down and no longer be seen as an uplifted Cross! Beginning in November, the 7 Stars (AKA Big Dipper) can be seen as a Cross a little bit later in evening.
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When you are comfortable in locating Orion & The 7 Stars Constellations, then show a friend. This can be a great witnessing tool!
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ABOVE CHART: The Cross of Orion Constellation star-chart – not for commercial use
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… ‘7 Stars’ Imitate ‘The Cross of Orion’
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TOMORROW…
August 13 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 17: Judging & Criticizing)
ABOVE PICTURE – Moon – 2nd Face (exaggerated for clarity) – Pharisee Scorner
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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY
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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
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THIS IS STUDY #589 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…
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